Search - John Arthur Martinez :: Lone Starry Night

Wilson H. (kentuckybrother) from WINCHESTER, KY
Reviewed on 6/20/2007...

The American Idol-styled country television show Nashville Star broke John Arthur Martinez into the mainstream. During one of the club gigs Martinez played in Nashville, he was spotted by a rep from Dualtone records. While he finished second on Nashville Star to Buddy Jewell and ahead of Miranda Lambert, Dualtone signed him and released Lone Starry Night in 2004. If you watched the show when he was performing, this album has most of the songs everyone seemed to enjoy the most.

Great Tex-Mex/Country Sounds

K. Fontenot | The Bayou State | 02/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It really is a shame that John Arthur Martinez didn't win the "Nashville Star" competition. Not to steal any of Buddy Jewell's thunder, but Martinez seems to be a more talented writer, singer, and artist. But obviously the folks in Nashville wanted a star that they could mold into their perfect creation. Jewell has that whole Travis Tritt meets Waylon Jennings thing going for him. He also has a sound with larger demographic appeal, so it doesn't surprise me that he was picked instead of Martinez. Believe me, I'm glad for Jewell, but I think that Martinez is the better all-around artist.



Martinez doesn't fit the mold that Nashville is looking for. Had he given in to the wishes of Music City, he'd be singing about dancin' in the bed of an ol' Ford with his redneck girl. Then he'd watch a little NASCAR and drink a little Jim Beam with his buddies at the bar. Instead, he embraces his heritage, faith, and home state whole-heartedly.



He'll never draw the big crowds of bubbly girls like a Tim McGraw or a Kenny Chesney. He won't write a song like "Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy" that'll end up as a vinyl sticker on the back of some idiot's truck. Instead, he'll probably be the guy content with writing great songs like "The Man Who Holds The Bow" and "Lone Starry Night." In other words, Martinez writes songs from the heart about the things that are important to him. Judging by this album, those things include his aforementioned faith, heritage, and the great state of Texas.



If any of these songs have commercial potential, I'd have to say that "The River Of Love/El Rio Amor" and "The Man Who Holds The Bow" are definite winners. "El Rio Amor" would have given Marty Robbins a run for his money back in Robbins' heyday. The rest of this album is loaded with great, true-to-the-heart songs that give you an insight into the thoughts and feelings of Martinez.



My favorite song on the album is "A Girl Named Texas." If you know anything about Texas artists, you can picture this song being sung by a guy like Gary P. Nunn. It reminded me of Nunn's "What I Like About Texas." "Home Made Of Stone" and "Trouble Rides A Fast Horse" are two of my other favorites.



Martinez covers "Amarillo By Morning," which we all know George Strait turned into a hit. I like Martinez' version, but he really shines brighter on his original work. I must say that the accordian was a nice touch to "Amarillo," though. "The Armadillo Song" has bar-song written all over it. It would sound great if you gathered up a few drunks at the bar and challenged them to sing it. I slip and studder through it, and that's when I'm sober. It also would probably appeal to children(I know my three year-old shook her rump to it).



Martinez throws a little Spanish into some of the songs, which I love. Unfortunately, Nashville looks down on expressing ethnicity. Guys like the Texas Tornados, Los Lobos, BeauSoleil, and, to a lesser extent, acts like the Mavericks and JoEl Sonnier, are ten times better than most of the acts that are bringing in the big bucks these days, but because they embrace their heritage, they'll always be considered "regional acts." That's ashame, but it's also a good thing because we get to keep the best artists to ourselves.



So if you love your country music with a little Tex-Mex flavor or if you enjoy artists like the late Marty Robbins, this album is for you. If you enjoy artists with a "regional" flavor like Gary P. Nunn, buy this album. Or if you simply enjoy great songs performed by the guy who actually WROTE them, get this disc.



I highly recommend it."

A True Classic

P. Callaway | Dunnellon, FL | 08/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was so impressed with john Arthur Martinez on Nashville Star, I ordered his CD the moment it came out and was MORE impressed with him after listening to it! There is not a weak cut to be found. Unlike most "country" music these days, his voice has not been over-processed to the point of being unrecognizable and the honesty and sincerity just shine forth. John Arthur Martinez, your music flows from your heart straight to the hearts of your listeners. Lone Starry Night is a true joy, a true classic. I just flat love it!"